Joanne Virginia Lahr

1936 - 2026

Joanne Virginia Lahr, 89, of Hutchinson, Minn., and formerly of Shell Rock, died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, Ecumen Oaks Care Center in Hutchinson, Minn.

Jo was born on Dec. 30, 1936, in Waverly, the daughter of Delbert and Genevieve (Lynes) Shepard. She was raised in Waverly and graduated from Waverly High School in 1955. On June 15, 1955, Jo was united in marriage to James Lahr at First Baptist Church in Waverly. The couple would make their home in Shell Rock. While in high school, Jo worked at the popcorn stand near Shep's Standard Station. Later, she worked writing stories for Shell Rock and Waverly Papers, at Shell Rock doctors office, as Justice of the Peace for 20 years and doing taxes at Blake Holley Nelson and Toenjes Law Firm in Shell Rock for over fifty years.

Jo was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Shell Rock and at several card clubs. Jo liked to cook, drink wine, and eat chocolate. However, Jo loved spending time with her family most of all, traveling with them to places such as the World's Fair, Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Seattle, and many national parks throughout the United States. She also enjoyed boating and fishing trips on the Mississippi River, Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada and Lake Pepin in Lake City, Minn.

Jo's memory is honored by three sons, Jeff (Ann Laube) Lahr of Dubuque, Scott (Barb) Lahr of Dassel, Minn., and Rod (Christina) Lahr of Center Point six grandchildren: Jordan (Rachel) Lahr, Brad (Tricia) Lahr, Kurt (Tessa) Lahr, Spencer (Jessica) Lahr, Johnathon Lahr, and Andrew Lahr; seven great-grandchildren: Jaelyn, Sullivan, Bexleigh, Jack, Henry, Graham, and Benelli; and two sisters, Karen Brandt of Waverly and Verna Dell Calvert of Arizona. Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sister, Leone Bohlen; and daughter-in-law, Judy Luchtenburg Lahr.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 3, at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Shell Rock from 5-7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, at Faith Lutheran Church in Shell Rock with Pastor Joel Becker officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Shell Rock. Memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church and online condolences may be left at www.kaisercorson.com. 319-885-4321